Vol. 9, Issue 9, Part C (2023)

This paper utilizes bibliometric analysis of reviewed literature on women's empowerment to delve into the components that constitute women's empowerment. Through word frequency analysis, co-occurrence network mapping, and thematic evaluation, it unveils prevalent themes including gender equality, education, health, autonomy, and economic empowerment. Recent years have witnessed a growing focus on health-related themes such as reproductive health, nutritional status, sexual behavior, child health, mental health, and maternal health. A noteworthy gap in the literature pertains to the under explored role of physical activity participation in promoting health and addressing gender disparities. This gap calls for an assessment of why the efficient and cost-effective strategy of disease prevention through physical activity and exercises remains largely uninvestigated in most research contexts related to health and empowerment. The limited participation of women in physical activities and exercises, compared to men, further accentuates existing gender disparities, contradicting the core principles of women's empowerment. The study advocates broadening the scope of women's empowerment research beyond conventional topics like education, health and economic autonomy. Integrating physical activity participation as a dimension alongside traditional and most robust indicators like reproductive and sexual health, nutritional status and child health expands the understanding of women's empowerment and well-being.